Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
The Malvern School holds annual awards celebration
Malvern School of Frazer teacher Samantha Stevens receives Teacher of the Year award
WAYNE » In a celebration that honored the accomplishments of its directors, teachers, coordinators and schools, The Malvern School held its annual awards celebration at The Radnor Hotel in Wayne.
The Malvern School, the largest private preschool in the Philadelphia region, established its annual awards to recognize the exceptional efforts by directors, teachers, coordinators and schools to uphold Malvern School’s mission and educational philosophy in providing the highest quality early childhood education and standards of excellence in its programs, curricula, school environment, stewardship, and health and safety at all its 25 school locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
“The annual awards is absolutely my favorite evening of the year. It’s a night for us to celebrate the best of the best, and that is our directors, coordinators, teachers and staff,” said Kristen M. Waterfield, president and co-founder. “As president, I am proud to celebrate our accomplishments and I am filled with gratitude for all the hard work that is put forth in our schools each day. And most importantly, I am grateful for the exceptional care and education that we provide our children and families.”
Highlights from the evening’s awards dinner included the Teacher of the Year award, which this year went to Samantha Stevens of Limerick, Montgomery County, a teacher at The Malvern School of Frazer in Chester County. Stevens has consistently showcased a passion through a steadfast dedication to The Malvern School program. She continually fosters an encouraging attitude which instills a positive team-oriented work environment amongst her fellow teachers; she is a NAEYC
mentor and has stepped into a leadership role many times at her school to assist the director of education. She also showcases the enthusiasm to grow as a teacher and most importantly she always puts the children first.
Jennifer DeLaney of Blackwood, New Jersey, is this year’s Executive Director of the Year award winner. As the executive director of The Malvern School of Erial in Camden County since 2003, DeLaney was selected as this year’s winner for exemplifying the characteristics necessary to lead her school to operational success and therefore contributing to the prosperity of the company as a whole during her 15 years with the company. She leads by example, is collaborative and respectful of her staff and colleagues, is open to new ideas and change and has displayed a strong support system to not only her school but other schools throughout the past year.
The Malvern School of Erial also took home this year’s Presidents’ Choice award, which is personally selected by Malvern School Presidents, Kristen M. Waterfield and Joe Scandone. This coveted award is given to a school that shows consistent effort toward constant improvement in the operations of their school, and striving always to be exemplary. The winner of this award displays the characteristics and actions that define the core values of The Malvern School that include a strong leadership driven by Executive Director of the Year, DeLaney, that always puts the children first by providing a creative, forward-thinking and successful program and curriculum that is proven to educate and nurture the students of The Malvern School of Erial.
The Malvern School of Blue Bell received this year’s Rising Star award. This recognition of quality is given to a school who goes above and beyond their responsibilities to enhance the lives of the students, the school, and the company as a whole and is on a path for success. The Malvern School of Blue Bell has only been open for one year and has displayed exceptional leadership, high Best Practice Assessment scores and a strong commitment to the Blue Bell community.